Retirement Centers Offer Seniors, Others Alternative Living Choice

The grounds at Rim Country Health & Retirement Community offer residents a peaceful respite from bustling activities in Payson.

For many seniors, the thought of selling their home and moving into a nursing home or even an independent living center is a scary thought. Will they lose their independence, privacy and become isolated in a small space?

For Nancy Ayers, that reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Ayers has lived joyously at the Good Samaritan Society Majestic Rim since the center opened in 2006.

She comes and goes as she pleases, gets a hearty meal every day, socializes with friends in the hallways and game rooms and lives spaciously in her 900-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment — and she doesn’t have to do housework.

“A lot of people wait too long to make the decision,” Ayers said of seniors who stay in their homes. “Some people say they are just not ready to leave their home, but when will they be ready?”

Ayers said some senior citizens may not be mentally ready to leave their home, so they choose to stay, and the home gets run down.

“Some think this is an old folks’ home and that they are being put away,” she said. “There is a misconception that this (Majestic Rim) is an assisted living facility, but it is not.”

Majestic Rim offers a host of services for its residents, including a free lunch, transportation, game rooms and weekly cleaning service, but it does not provide nursing care. Residents can hire an independent nurse to visit them, but the center does not provide any medical services.

Luckily, for Ayers she does not require medical attention and still regularly volunteers at three local organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, Mogollon Health Alliance gift shop and is an AARP tax aide.

Before moving to Majestic Rim, Ayers lived with her husband in Star Valley for a number of years before moving to Payson in 1993. In Payson, Ayers lived with her husband in a three-bedroom home, but decided in 2006 that it was time to downsize to a smaller home. When the Ayers heard about Majestic Rim, they knew it would fit their lifestyle.

Ayers said she enjoys the safety and security the building provides, and has peace of mind knowing there are always people around.

“It can be lonely living alone,” she said. “I don’t know why any woman alone would live in a home by herself.”

Ayers loves having maintenance on call 24-hours a day and says having a maid clean up her apartment is “the greatest luxury in the world.”

“This place is unique in Payson, it is the only one of its kind,” she said. “This is my home and I plan to live here as long as I can.”

There are several other senior living facilities in Payson, including The Powell House. The Powell House is a licensed, assisted-living facility where residents live in a home-like setting in studio or one-bedroom apartments.

Residents choose the level of care they need.

Rim Country Health and Retirement Community offers independent living apartments separate from the main complex, and nursing facilities for patients who need medical care.

The main center has several wings devoted to the needs of residents. The Pine Place wing is for residents needing behavior management in a secure setting. The Pony Express wing is for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s and the third wing is for long-term residents needing nursing care. Residents needing short-term care and rehabilitation — including physical, occupational and speech therapy — can use facilities in a separate area.